Mercian mascot Corporal Derby XXXII retires after a career representing his regiment
The British Army's Mercian Regiment has welcomed a new mascot following the retirement of its previous Ram Major.
The regiment announced that Corporal Derby XXXII, the Ram Major, had retired from his duties along with his comrade Notts II and would be replaced by Private Derby XXXIII.
"Last week the regiment said a fond farewell to Cpl Derby XXXII and Notts II as they headed for a much-deserved retirement at the Chatsworth estate," wrote the Mercian Regiment.
Derby XXXII was picked to become the regiment's latest mascot from the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire's Chatsworth flock on their Derbyshire estate.
During his career, Derby XXXII was at the forefront of the regiment's activities in the public eye and at just 18 months old he led the Derby County Football Club team out onto the pitch.
On the pitch, he wore a jacket which showed the colours and battle honours of its antecedent regiments, including five medals from some of the places it had served.
In 2022, he met the future King Charles III at Weeton Barracks to receive his promotion from private to lance corporal.
In that same year, he welcomed two sets of twin lambs that he had fathered.
Two years later, he was promoted to corporal for the first time ever by the Colonel of the Regiment's representative, Brigadier Andy Cox MBE.
His promotion took place during the annual pilgrimage to the Regimental Memorial Tower at Crich on 7 July 2024.
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